I’m looking forward to speaking about Maritime Cooperation Safeguarding the Blue Economy and Marine Biodiversity at Circle the Med – The Mediterranean Forum in Athens on 4th June.

🌊 As maritime regions face increasing environmental and security challenges, this session will explore collaborative solutions for sustainable blue growth and maritime security. Inspired by the EUs vision for a strong, secure, and climate-resilient Europe, key topics include:

🛳️ Decarbonizing Maritime Transport: Green fuels, smart ports, and circular economy practices for sustainable shipping.

🌐 Marine Ecosystem Protection: Policies to combat pollution, protect biodiversity, and restore marine habitats.

⚓ Regional Maritime Security: Strengthening cooperation to secure trade routes and mitigate climate-induced risks.

📈 Blue Growth Fund (UfM): Showcasing financing mechanisms to support innovative projects for sustainable maritime adaptation and growth

💡My contribution will focus on maritime cooperation to accelerate blue finance in order to support ocean biodiversity, health and prosperity. Through their lending, underwriting and investment activities, as well as their client relationships, financial institutions have a major impact on ocean health, biodiversity and prosperity. The Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) works in partnership with the financial community, policymakers, scientists and experts in the field on practical guidance, workshops, webinars and toolkits to bring a sustainable blue lens to financial decision-making. Learn more about the Initiative here.

I am looking forward to be joined for this session by Vassilis Kikilias, Susan C Gardner, Ph.D., Dr. Alicia Bugeja, Dr Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Dr. Stelios Himonas, Alexandra Cousteau, Patricia Charlebois, Ruben Eiras, Paolo Mossone, and moderator George Dikaios.

For the full programme and how to register for the Forum see here.